Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally?
I grew up in Westchester in a family of doctors and terrible athletes. Fortunately, I wanted to be a physician since I was three, and I never really considered any other profession. It’s also my passion, along with being a wife and mother of four children: Claudia (17), Daniel (15), Allie (13), and Gabi (7).
When I’m not at work or with my family, I’m probably taking some sort of class, be it in a sport (tennis, basketball, martial arts), language (Portuguese, Hebrew), or musical instrument (piano). I’m addicted to taking lessons; I love learning from experts.
Where do you live in Greenwich and what do you love about Greenwich?
I always intended to live in Greenwich; in fact, I took my first job in private practice in Mount Kisco while bidding on houses in Greenwich. While that dream never materialized (I live in Manhattan and spend my weekends in Westchester), many of my patients live in Greenwich and surrounding towns. I always wanted to open a practice in this amazingly warm and welcoming community.
Please tell us about Well by Messer and your integrated approach to medicine?
Well by Messer was born out of a desire to integrate endocrinology with nutrition, psychology, and personal training. However, like most new ventures, it took on a life of its own. Based on patient feedback, I added internal medicine, gynecology, urology, and aesthetics to round out the offerings.
Our approach is to:
- Collaborate to deliver the best care – all of our doctors are people I hand-picked based on my experience working with them throughout my career, so we are accustomed to operating as a team
- Treat the whole patient
- Rely on the most up-to-date, evidence-based medical research and techniques
- Be hyper-responsive – we pride ourselves on responding to patients the same day they contact us with questions, the same day their lab results arrive, etc.
How did you start Well by Messer? What is your professional background?
When I started Well by Messer almost five years ago, I already had over a decade of experience founding and running a private endocrinology practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Based on that steep learning curve, I was able to sidestep many of the common pitfalls of opening a new medical office.
After I graduated from Yale, I completed all of my medical training at Mount Sinai and still maintain privileges at Mount Sinai and Northwell.
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the past 5-10 years in women’s healthcare and how are you addressing them in your practice?
Over the past few years, I have observed a sharp increase in non-evidence-based medical practice. Well by Messer does not follow that approach. We emphasize using the best available research, alongside clinical expertise and patient values, to guide our medical advice.
In addition, women are often unfairly judged during the menopausal transition and when trying to lose weight. Well by Messer provides women with a safe, judgment-free setting to discuss their concerns and optimize their health with the top specialists in their fields.
What are the top reasons that patients come to Well by Messer?
Patients come to Well by Messer to address metabolic and hormonal issues, such as difficulty losing weight, low and high thyroid hormone levels, thyroid nodules, diabetes (types 1 and 2), osteopenia and osteoporosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and low testosterone levels. In addition, patients come for routine primary and gynecological care.
Please demystify endocrinology for us – what do we need to know? How do you know if you have a metabolic issue?
Endocrinology is the study of hormones, which are chemical messengers that circulate in the bloodstream, carrying signals from one part of the body to another. Hormones regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood.
There are over 50 known hormones in the human body, so when patients ask for a “hormone check”, we are often at a loss. That’s why it’s so important for the endocrinologist to perform a careful intake to figure out which hormones should be evaluated.
With respect to metabolic issues, we diagnose through a combination of symptoms, blood tests, and physical exams. In addition, we use basal metabolic rate machines such as InBody to help identify slow metabolism.
Can you share a bit more about your practice’s approach to weight-loss?
We emphasize that there should not be a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. Some people gain weight due to emotional eating, while others have a genetically slow metabolism or only gain weight during menopause.
While we are grateful for GLP-1s, they are just one part of the toolkit. We also identify and treat underlying conditions, such as binge eating, depression, anxiety, hypothyroidism, and insulin resistance. In addition, we often combine weight loss medications with nutrition and exercise programs, cognitive behavior therapy, and health coaching, all of which are capabilities that we offer in-house.
How do you become a patient of Well by Messer?
You become a patient of Well by Messer by contacting us directly at (475) 335-8692 or through your referring physician.
How do you balance work and being a parent?
I have to quickly transition from work mode to home mode – there is no gentle wind-down time when I get home. I jump right into helping my 13-year-old with homework and having tea parties with my 7-year-old. I also try to involve my kids in my favorite activities. I share a basketball lesson with my youngest daughter every Tuesday and a martial arts lesson with her and my husband every Wednesday. With my older kids, I play tennis on Saturdays and ultimate frisbee on Sundays.
But let’s not kid ourselves – “balance” is not the right description for what we all do as parents. Like everyone else, I just try to do my best, taking it one day at a time.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another parent?
One of my favorite expressions when it comes to parenting is “the days are long, but the years are short.” It’s hard to remember that when you’re changing a diaper at 3am, but it’s important to try.
What do you like to do to relax/have fun for yourself and as a family?
I’m obsessed with having a million different hobbies – basketball, tennis, martial arts, classical piano, ultimate frisbee, and cooking, to name a few. I try to rope my husband and kids into these activities, with varying degrees of success.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am already so grateful to the town of Greenwich for welcoming Well by Messer with open arms. My team and I look forward to contributing to and growing with this lovely community.
